Big Brothers Big Sisters Gearing Up for Fall

July 20, 2011, Niles, Michigan – Big Brothers Big Sisters of Berrien and Cass is readying its programming for the 2011-2012 school year and welcomes prospective volunteers interested in participating as mentors to children 6-12 years of age.

The goal for Big Brother and Big Sister mentors in all of the BBBS programs is to help build the child's self-confidence, encourage better school performance, and help each child have a brighter view of his/her future.

BBBS has two programs from which prospective volunteers may choose.

The first is the community-based program that matches an adult with a child of the same gender between the ages of 6 and 12. While all applicants must be 18 or older and undergo a background check, only community-based program volunteers would also have an in-home interview with the BBBS caseworker. Community-based Bigs spend 10 hours or more a month with their protégé and are free to take them to the library, to a sports event, go for a walk or to the Big's home, play catch, watch a movie, or work on a project. The purpose of the program is not improving academics, although that is a side benefit of increasing the child's self-esteem and their vision of themselves as they begin to build their future. The minimum commitment for the Big is one year.

The second is the site-based program which offers two options, the Lunch Buddy and the Dinner Buddy. The former is held at elementary schools in Benton Harbor, Berrien Springs, Brandywine, Buchanan, Cassopolis, Dowagiac, New Buffalo, Niles, and River Valley school districts, as well as at New Buffalo Middle School. Volunteer Bigs with this program are asked to spend one lunch hour per week with the same child. It can be a different day each week, depending on the Big's schedule. Volunteers talk, play games or work on school projects with their Little Brothers/Sisters. However, since this is a site-based program, the Big may not meet with the child other than at the Lunch Buddy site, nor may s/he transport them to or from the site. The Dinner Buddy Program invites Big Brother and Big Sister volunteer mentors to meet with a child who is a member of the Boys and Girls Club of Benton Harbor. Visits can occur between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on weekdays. The benefit of this program is that Bigs can stay for longer than just the dinner hour and have the benefit of a library, a game room, a gym and other amenities that help a friendship blossom.

The results of these programs can be seen in the Big Brothers Big Sister Program Outcome Evaluations which are completed at the end of each school year by Bigs and by the children's teachers. In the 2009-2010 evaluation, BBBS was particularly pleased to see improvement in:

• Self Confidence – 68% increase
• School performance – 50% increase
• Shows trust towards adults – 78% increase

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Berrien and Cass welcomes inquiries from prospective Big Brothers and Big Sisters who may be interested in the community-based or the Lunch Buddy program. Inquiries may be directed to Executive Director Kathy Rossow at (toll free) 877.367.2244 ext. 3# or via e-mail at info@bbbsofbc.org. Prospective volunteers may also go to the BBBS website at www.bbbsofbc.org to learn more. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Berrien and Cass is a United Way funded partner.

About Big Brothers Big Sisters of Berrien and Cass, Inc.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Berrien and Cass, a United Way partner agency, helps vulnerable children beat negative odds. Professionally-supported volunteer services are proven to reduce children’s risk of dropping out of school; becoming violent; using drugs and alcohol; and falling victim to other negative cycles. Big Brothers Big Sisters and its network of supporters recognize the hardship, pain and challenges that children in too many communities confront. There’s an urgent demand for what the organization achieves. In addition to the traditional mentoring program, which matches a Big Brother or a Big Sister with a child of the same gender for at least one year, BBBS provides "Lunch Buddy" mentors who meet with a child at their school once a week during lunchtime. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Berrien and Cass, Inc. is a 501(C)3 nonprofit organization celebrating 42 years of service in Berrien and Cass counties of Southwest Michigan. Learn how to join the movement to change how children grow up in Berrien and Cass Counties by going to BBBSofBC.org or call (269) 684-1100, toll free (877) 367-2244.